SP404 mkII: Making a Chill Lofi Beat

In this video, we make a chill lofi beat from start to performing it live. We also record percussion, a synth and a guitar.
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The SP404 mkII from Roland is a creative sampler & effects unit. The latest version in the long line of SP units has some great improvements including an OLED display, velocity sensitive pads, an updated sequencer and a guitar input.
Special thanks to Sweetwater for sponsoring this video.
Check out the SP404mkII here:
imp.i114863.net/Zd0nP1
Looking for new gear? Here's a list of gear I recommend:
imp.i114863.net/5b2bB2
chapters:
0:00 Intro, Strategies & Objectives
0:53 Stylistic Approach
1:07 Song Development Strategy
1:40 Creating Drum Patterns
2:47 Entering Steps in TR-REC
3:43 Copying Patterns
3:59 Editing Patterns
4:27 Sampling Overview
4:39 Recording a Shaker
5:45 End Snap
6:04 Recording a Shaker - Cont'd
6:34 Normalizing the Sample
6:49 Loop Strategy
8:05 Checking a Loop's Timing
9:16 Note: Sample Points
9:50 Editing Samples
10:17 Truncate
10:27 Volume Level
10:39 Recording a Synth
11:40 Recording with an Effect
12:48 Recording a Guitar Overview
13:01 Recording a Guitar: Direct Input
13:47 Resampling a Guitar
14:31 A Note about Resampling
15:02 Editing a Sample
15:36 Skip-Back Sampling
17:31 Recording a Guitar with a Mic
19:36 Resampling with an Effect
20:31 Song Organization
21:28 Pattern Chain
21:49 Performing the Song
22:24 A Word from our Sponsor
22:42 Final Thoughts
** LIKE & SUBSCRIBE **
#sp404mk2 #drummachine #lofi

[@SithMirth]

For someone (like myself) who is new to the entirety of sampling devices, this one is even more intimidating that others. This and your tutorial are priceless for learning to effectively use my SP404mkII. I'm glad I'm not alone feeling like I need to make notes for myself to organize what I want to do.

[@OllieLoops]

Thanks for your comment. I wish you luck in your musical journey. Be patient but most importantly have fun.

[@rchemic]

Love it. Just got mine. These are priceless. Thank you. 👌🏻

[@OllieLoops]

Thanks! Enjoy your SP.

[@seantan4207]

Excellent workflow tutorial with specific goal- beats the manual - the texts on screen a great tool for learning - Well done! Keep up the good work.

[@OllieLoops]

Thank you so much. Have fun!

[@EricColon321]

Great video. Just picked up an SP404 and this video cut the learning curve. Amazing work brother.

[@OllieLoops]

Thanks! Have fun with the 404!

[@Sammy-B]

This is a great video to refer to. Highly commended.

[@OllieLoops]

Glad it was helpful!

[@michaelparlato7724]

Very nice tutorial. Fast, easy to digest!

[@OllieLoops]

awesome! thanks.

[@amazingmono]

Great work, thanks!

[@OllieLoops]

Thanks!

[@RaskolnikovR]

Love your videos, booking this one for when my SP will return from after sale service ( had this annoying button issues )

[@OllieLoops]

Thanks! hope you get your SP back soon. Enjoy!

[@catoleg]

Thank you man. Very useful video One think I would like to add, it's much precise to align a sample to an already existed one by setting its End Point using SHIFT + Enter and type the numbers of the end point of the sample you want to align to

[@OllieLoops]

Good point! thanks for sharing.

[@mikemeengs5720]

Yup...if the first loop is perfect, simply typing in the same lengths on subsequent loops should work.

[@Jocoseman]

YAY! Love your tutorials. Are you excited for the v3.0 updates?

[@OllieLoops]

Thanks! Yeah there’s some cool new features.

[@vagueversatile]

13:05 was not expecting the suit 😅 Great video that I followed even if not owning the sp404

[@OllieLoops]

That’s great. Thanks for watching.

[@matthewwilson3673]

fun video!

[@OllieLoops]

Thanks.

[@igorgodinho1279]

Another great video Ollie!!! Question: can I trigger my pattern chain with start messages from another device? If positive, how can I choose which pattern chain to play when the start message is received? There is a way to do it with MIDI or should I select the pattern chain beforehand? Thanks!

[@OllieLoops]

Thanks, great question BTW. In short, no I don't think it's possible to trigger the start of a pattern chain via MIDI. Sub Pad is different from other pads in that it mirrors the last of the 16 pads played. Therefore, I don't believe it has a dedicated Midi CC note. Further. In order to change the function of Sub Pad, you need to be within the Pattern Chain mode / have a PC selected. And I don't think there's a shortcut for that. Long story longer, seems like you have to trigger a pattern chain manually. Hope that helps.

[@iamluchini]

End snap is going to save my life haha

[@OllieLoops]

End Snap is a good feature, for sure.

[@Disregardedinc]

I wanna eventually get a dawless setup using tape, this is looking real attractive

[@OllieLoops]

It’s a great device for all round use.

[@mdreid]

Regarding your request for a count-in at 14:39 it looks like the 4.04 firmware update may have added this? On my SP running 4.04 I can do the following: - Press Pattern Select - Press Resample and select a flashing pad - Press Shift + Pad 10 (Count-In) to loop through options: Wait, Off, 1Meas, 2Meas - Press Shift + Ext Source and change the routing to ExtIn, then hit Exit - Press a flashing pattern pad to start the count in before recording Optionally, just before hitting the pad to record I can also use CTRL 2 to set the number of measures to record to: 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, or infinity. I find this fixed length recording with a count-in really great when wanting to lay down a guitar or bass part over a beat. I just got an SP404 mk2 yesterday (mostly for recording instruments live) and also just wanted to say thanks for such a useful video.

[@jessesg]

Thx! Gonna try this out.

[@muuroonggeooffrey246]

Is there a way not to test the start and end of the sample loop against metronome tracks for live performances? Also, how can we prevent tempo issues caused by small time shifts after a certain number of bars?

[@OllieLoops]

You don't have to test it against a metronome, that's just a recommendation if you have samples that you want to be in sync. Otherwise, you can just rely on feel by ear and set the start and end points how you like. Regarding tempo issues, I think checking samples against a metronome is a good way to test for timing issues. You could also set the samples bpm to the project's bpm but the sample's timing would still need to be perfect for the samples to properly align. Hope that helps.

[@omargonzalez8809]

Hey man, just got mine in the mail. I wanted to copy these steps just to see how the process goes. Will the pre-installed sounds be replaced by following these steps to making a song?

[@OllieLoops]

You have to delete a sample to replace it. The stock samples live on the SD card and you can import them into a project anytime. The sample project has some sounds loaded already, but several sample pads are still empty. A new project will be empty. You can always load samples for the SD card. Hope that helps.

[@brianwyse5810]

Is it best to have an sm58 for live mc'ing/rehearsing, and a 57 for sampling instruments etc. Or just use the sm57 for all...

[@OllieLoops]

Hi Brian, Those two microphones are basically the same sonically speaking. The main difference is the screen at the front. A 57 will allow you to get closer to instruments. But know that recording vocals will require pulling the mic away slightly. You could use a 57 for all if you wanted. Hope that helps.

[@brianwyse5810]

@@OllieLoops Which ever is cheapest i'll nap asap! Thanks.

[@brianwyse5810]

Also, for the guitar amp recording, you can just use the 57 for that aswell, without much difference I presume..

[@Thekidisalright]

The TR-REC mode makes me feel like an data entry clerk than someone making music lol

[@OllieLoops]

I understand. You may want to consider playing an instrument like guitar or drums.

[@Monsterism]

Please Roland just add a looper like the old sp555

[@OllieLoops]

That would be dope.

[@brianwyse5810]

can they do that with an update?

[@Monsterism]

@@brianwyse5810 they added step sequencer so a looper isn't something that would be impossible. Even something basic be decent

[@irzaip]

Yeeeeessss

[@Moneymakinshark-dawg]

I thought there was a loop function?

[@Tim.Traveler]

Is this a good Sampler as my first one? I play guitar and like lofi stuff so I’ve been looking at the Liven series. Or is this too advanced?

[@OllieLoops]

I think it’s a great sampler, drum machine for a first timer to intermediate users. And especially those that play electric guitar or bass.

[@mantin01]

I’m a new comer. How did you get the “voice” notes at the start of video

[@OllieLoops]

No worries. Mac computers have a built in function for accessibly called Text to Speech. If you open any app and write what you want the computer to say, you can then sample the output from the computer on the SP or other sampler. Hope that helps.

[@Tapepusher]

Wait what’s with the “test the sample against a pattern” to make sure it’s in time and “try hit the pad on the downbeat” to fix its timing, why wouldn’t it just record from the start and stop recording at the end of the bar for perfect loops? Edit: omg you have to manually line up all recordings? So everything you record is always slightly off time, not only cuz it’s placed manually but also cuz you don’t listen to the song while recording. If this is still the case this is too crazy for me to buy one wow ha

[@OllieLoops]

Yeah, recording on the device is in real-time. This makes the feel of recordings more human. Though, it’s at the cost of workflow. For some this is an advantage. For others, this is an issue. I think it works with certain genres like lofi, boom bap, etc. but it takes some practice to master the timing and make it work to your advantage. Peace.

[@Tapepusher]

@@OllieLoops a potential Ableton session view style looper is sitting right in front of Roland and they refuse to enable it 🥲 haha but fr that would be so good

[@HeavyHeartsShow]

The method of recording looped samples seems a lot easier

[@OllieLoops]

Ez does it.

[@vinchenzo4403]

@5:05 (pew pew)

[@OllieLoops]

nice

[@harpoolmusic]

Way too baked for the speed of this video. Switched it to half speed and its much easier to follow 🤣

[@OllieLoops]

Half (baked) speed?

[@Thearcherfl]

But gotta admit. I love how fast you move. Straight to the point. That way I can watch at my pace and change as needed. Thank you!

[@LB-pp7pu]

Did you just assumed the gender of those adaptors?

[@OllieLoops]

non-binary adaptors are hard to find.

[@Jamesjimjimmy]

Comment 4 engagement

[@OllieLoops]

Thanks James.

[@lessliesmoresoul3752]

wow I really hate tr-rec mode, it's so unhuman. I think the right way to use the sp is bareback and unprotected, just touch whatever you feel your pulse, your fingers, your emotion at that instant. avoid using tr-rec mode.

[@OllieLoops]

Thanks for your comment. TR-REC isn't for everyone, but for those who want to learn, here's a video they can use.

[@elek-trick]

It's a great video but would be so much better if you took time to breathe...

[@OllieLoops]

Thanks. For all those people who left because it was too long, there’s only a few that think it’s too fast. It’s impossible to make everyone happy. Peace.

[@oliviareddy2485]

Did you know that KZbin features playback speed ctrl? You can speed up or slow down the video as you see fit.